Stars In My Eyes – Tribute to Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana Gets His Star On Hollywood's Walk Of Fame

"I've always said that God created the Earth ROUND so that ALL of us can have CENTER STAGE!" – Carlos Santana

On August 17 1998, Carlos Santana took center stage in a most unusual setting: the heart of Hollywood's glitzy epicenter – Hollywood Blvd. He was there to receive his long-overdue star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame. Yes, Carlos finally received his very own little pink & charcoal terrazzo tile in the shape of a five-point star, and it seemed that ALL of East L.A. (and HALF of Los Angeles County) was there to share his "Starring" moment with him!

I've been fortunate enough to witness several of these inductions over the years, and each had it's own unique ambiance. For me, what made Carlos' SPECIAL was that it was the ONLY one I've witnessed that was a truly warm, FAMILY affair: NOTHING about it was showbiz or glitzy (despite the setting).

It began with the crowd itself-made up primarily of Hispanic Americans. Talking with those in attendance, it struck me that they spoke of Carlos NOT in terms of his being a MEGA star of LONG standing (over FOUR decades in the music biz, as of this writing).

Rather, they spoke of him as if he were a member of their OWN family: a beloved brother, uncle, even father. Typical was the response I got from one young man about 20 years old, who was there with his ENTIRE family (including his eighty PLUS year old grandmother). They had arrived FOUR HOURS EARLY, standing on the HOT Summer sidewalk to secure "a good seat". When I asked him WHY they would go to SUCH lengths, he immediately shot back:

"Hey! THIS is THE MAN! Carlos has ALWAYS been a part of my family-LONG before I was even born! He is like the ONLY guy in music that ALL my family like! When we heard yesterday on the radio that Carlos was gonna get himself a star, my Mom told my grannie (who speaks no English). It was HER who insisted that all of us get here EARLY! Grannie said: "MY BOY CARLOS is gonna be there tomorrow! We've GOTTA be there! EVERYONE has to go to bed EARLY tonight! If I DON'T get there in time to see my Carlos, I am gonna do some SERIOUS butt kickin' when we get home later!"

'Nuff said.

I joined his grannie and the literal OCEAN of humanity all standing on that sidewalk that day, ALL of us waiting for "The Man" to arrive. When he DID arrive it was like NO "celebrity" arrival I have seen before or since. The white limo gently pulled up to the curb, and out stepped NOT a CELEBRITY, but rather a WHOLE FAMILY! Yup, Carlos had seemingly brought his WHOLE FAMILY to share in this special moment! Out from BOTH ROWS of seats in that limo emerged Santanas of EVERY age, sex and size! Onto the sidewalk they were escorted, cavorted or carried! Their number included a baby that could NOT have been a day over three months old! What really caught my attention was Carlos' WIFE – in NO way was she the typical Rock star "trophy wife"! One look and you KNEW that here was a REAL woman. Her face was lovely WITHOUT that "over-processed" look seen TOO often in MOST Rock star's wives. She was dressed in a simply-tailored outfit; the living embodiment of classic chic. She and her LARGE family took their place by "The Man," unobtrusive but VERY MUCH there.

Edward James Olmos and Rita Moreno took their respective turns at the podium, sharing their memories and stories of Carlos with the crowd. I must confess that NONE of their stories have remained with me, though the mic was actually working BETTER when THEY were speaking than it was LATER (when Carlos finally got HIS turn). It seemed as if the moment was FROZEN in time (so to speak) until it was CARLOS who was speaking. In turn, I could see that same look in the eyes of OTHER fans there that day. It was that same look one gets when you bring your kid to Disneyland and have to wait in line a bit TOO long to hop on their favorite ride: "Mom, are we there YET?! HOW MUCH longer 'til we're THERE?!"

Carlos brought the crowd "there" with his quiet, almost regal presence onto the podium. He clasped his BEAUTIFUL hands (you MUST take a GOOD look at his HANDS, the next time you see him in concert) together briefly, almost as if in prayer, as he gently bowed his head in respect to his audience. The crowd did a simultaneous HUSH, as Carlos thanked everyone for coming "To share this with me and my family". He observed that this event was NOT about HIM. Rather, it was about EVERYONE who loves and respects "The healing power of music." He observed that EVERY person in life DESERVES to be treated as if they are a "star", noting:

"I've always said that God created the Earth ROUND so that ALL of us can have CENTER STAGE!"

True to his word, I noted that there was ZERO tolerance of pushing, shoving or so much as a threatening glance from ANY of the security guards toward any of the crowd (quite UNLIKE many of the Hollywood affairs I've attended). Even when various items were pushed toward Carlos for signing (among them a BIG acoustic guitar) the crowd were treated with EQUAL respect.

7080 Hollywood Blvd. remains for ME a SPECIAL place. I may NOT be able to readily recall the exact ADDRESS upon request, but turn me loose on the streets of downtown Hollywood and I can ALWAYS take you THERE.

THANK YOU, Carlos.